Cultural diversity

Language used at home

About this topic

Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.

This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.

Interpretation notes

  • The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
  • Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.

Key insight

In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Peregian Beach (part), accounting for 89.4% (4,426 people). This share was higher than Noosa (S) (88.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,373 people and 30.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Peregian Beach (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Peregian Beach (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Peregian Beach (part), with comparison markers for Noosa (S).

Peregian Beach (part)
Noosa (S)

English

2021 count

4,426

% of total

89.4%

Change from 2016

+30.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

209

% of total

4.2%

Change from 2016

-7.5pp

Portuguese

2021 count

42

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

German

2021 count

38

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Italian

2021 count

34

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Spanish

2021 count

31

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

French

2021 count

25

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Dutch

2021 count

19

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Japanese

2021 count

12

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-5.5pp

Swedish

2021 count

11

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Peregian Beach (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).

Language used at home for Peregian Beach (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
Language used at home for Peregian Beach (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Noosa (S)%Count%Noosa (S)%Countpp
English4,42689.4%88.6%2,05358.9%88.6%+2,373+30.5pp
Not stated2094.2%5.7%40911.7%6.4%-200-7.5pp
Portuguese420.8%0.6%80.2%0.2%+34+0.6pp
German380.8%0.7%260.7%0.9%+12+0.1pp
Italian340.7%0.4%230.7%0.4%+110.0pp
Spanish310.6%0.5%200.6%0.3%+110.0pp
French250.5%0.6%300.9%0.5%-5-0.4pp
Dutch190.4%0.2%60.2%0.3%+13+0.2pp
Japanese120.2%0.2%1995.7%0.2%-187-5.5pp
Swedish110.2%0.1%--0.1%--
Total4,949100.0%100.0%3,486100.0%100.0%+1,4630.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.